terra sigillata

[sig-uh-lah-tuh, sij-uh-ley-tuh]

noun

1. Arretine ware.

2. Samian ware.

terra sigillata

/ ˈtɛrə ˌsɪdʒɪˈlɑːtə /

noun

1. rare,  a reddish-brown clayey earth found on the Aegean island of Lemnos: formerly used as an astringent and in the making of earthenware pottery

2. any similar earth resembling this

3. earthenware pottery made from this or a similar earth, esp Samian ware

Word History and Origins

Origin of terra sigillata¹

< New Latin or Italian, explained as “earth (i.e., earthenware) with incised decoration” ( terracotta, sigillate ), but apparently originally an adaptation of an earlier and Medieval Latin name for Lemnian earth (a clay mineral used as an astringent), perhaps associated with the pottery because of its red color

Word History and Origins

Origin of terra sigillata¹

from Latin: sealed earth

Example Sentences

Take the terra sigillata from the Greek island of Lemnos, which Pliny wrote about in the first century.

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It thus became known as terra sigillata, and was an article of apothecary commerce down to the last century.

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But the surface finish of the finer or terra sigillata wares is something quite distinct, and reaches a high and wonderfully uniform perfection.

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It has been found that the substance, called very improperly, terra sigillata of lemnos, is nothing more than the powder made of the pulp of the fruit of the Baobab.

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Besides the ordinary terra sigillata with figures produced in moulds we find other methods of decoration employed.

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